Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders Win New Hampshire Primaries

In a major statement against the current political establishment, businessman Donald Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont have won the first primaries of the 2016 election season.

Trump was named the projected winner by the majornewsoutlets shortly after polls in New Hampshire closed at 8 p.m. ET. He is projected to take about 35 percent of the total, followed by Governor John Kasich of Ohio; former Governor Jeb Bush of Florida; Senator Ted Cruz of Texas; Senator Marco Rubio of Florida; and Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey -- all of whom look likely to receive between the high single digits to the mid- to high teens when final totals are tallied. Behind those five are businesswoman Carly Fiorina and physician Ben Carson, each with less than 5 percent.

Sanders had led in all recent polls, so his victory did not come as a late surprise, but he did overcome a massive deficit from months ago, when he was down by more than 50 points. The final margin could be anywhere from 15 to 30 points, but at the moment, it looks like a good guess would be Sanders with about 55 to 60 percent and his chief rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, garnering about 30 to 40 percent. Things could still change quite a bit as precincts continue to report their results.

The race will now move on to South Carolina, which holds its GOP primary next Saturday, February 20, and the Democratic Primary on February 27. Nevada's Democratic caucus will occur on February 20, while its Republican caucus will be held three days later.

Last week, Clinton won the Iowa Democratic caucuses and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas won on the Republican side.